St. Thomas Becket(December 21, 1118 – December 29, 1170) Lord Chancellor from 1154 to 1162 and Archbishop of Canterburyfrom 1162 to 1170. [1] According to some accounts, it was discovered that Becket had worn a hairshirt under his archbishop's garments—a sign of penance. He had begun to press his claims, and his chancellor had aided him. The monks were afraid that Becket's body might be stolen. [20] A stone cover was placed over the burial place with two holes where pilgrims could insert their heads and kiss the tomb;[1] this arrangement is illustrated in the "Miracle Windows" of the Trinity Chapel. Becket fought back by threatening excommunication and interdict against the king and bishops and the kingdom, but Pope Alexander III, though sympathising with him in theory, favoured a more diplomatic approach. [1], Theobald entrusted him with several important missions to Rome and also sent him to Bologna and Auxerre to study canon law. The known biographers are John of Salisbury, Edward Grim, Benedict of Peterborough, William of Canterbury, William fitzStephen, Guernes of Pont-Sainte-Maxence, Robert of Cricklade, Alan of Tewkesbury, Benet of St Albans, and Herbert of Bosham. He did not study any subjects beyond the trivium and quadrivium at these schools. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. For other uses, see. As the scion of the leading mercantile dynasty of later centuries, Mercers, Becket was very much regarded as a Londoner by the citizens and was adopted as London's co-patron saint with St Paul: both their images appeared on the seals of the city and of the Lord Mayor. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. This was the only military order native to England (with chapters in not only Acre, but London, Kilkenny, and Nicosia), just as the Gilbertine Order was the only monastic order native to England. It was not until Becket refused their demands to submit to the king's will that they retrieved their weapons and rushed back inside for the killing. Henry summoned Becket to appear before a great council at Northampton Castle on 8 October 1164, to answer allegations of contempt of royal authority and malfeasance in the Chancellor's office. Nevertheless, Henry VIII dissolved both of these English institutions at the time of the Reformation, rather than merging them with foreign orders or nationalising them as elements of the Protestant Church of England. He also served as the sheriff of the city at some point. Thomas was born to Norman parents of the merchant class. The name "Thomas à Becket" is not contemporary, and appears to be a post-, There is a legend that claims Thomas's mother was a, "V&A plaque", with latest count; Binski, 225, with a catalogue entry on one in the. Seeking forgiveness, the assassins travelled to Rome and were ordered by the Pope to serve as knights in the Holy Lands for a period of fourteen years.[20]. He also served as the sheriff of the city at some point. One knight grabbed him and tried to pull him outside, but Becket grabbed onto a pillar and bowed his head to make peace with God. Here Thomas showed to the full his brilliant abilities, razing castles, repairing the Tower of London, conducting embassies, and raising and leading troops in war. A guard chamber (now called the Wax Chamber) had a clear view of the grave. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. In 1220, Becket's bones were moved to a new gold-plated and bejewelled shrine behind the high altar in the Trinity Chapel. Thomas Becket  ©Becket was a 12th century chancellor and archbishop of Canterbury whose murder resulted in his canonisation. Papal legates were sent in 1167 with authority to act as arbitrators. These include Robert of Torigni's work, Roger of Howden's Gesta Regis Henrici Secundi and Chronica, Ralph Diceto's works, William of Newburgh's Historia Rerum, and Gervase of Canterbury's works.[3]. One knight grabbed him and tried to pull him outside, but Becket grabbed onto a pillar and bowed his head to make peace with God. [1] They were buried in Old St Paul's Cathedral. The Bridge House Estates seal used only the image of Becket, while the reverse featured a depiction of his martyrdom. [1] This led to the Constitutions of Clarendon, where Becket was officially asked to agree to the King's rights or face political repercussions. He did not, however, study canon or civil law at this time and his Latin skill always remained somewhat rudimentary. [20] A stone cover was placed over the burial place with two holes where pilgrims could insert their heads and kiss the tomb;[1] this arrangement is illustrated in the "Miracle Windows" of the Trinity Chapel. Which Mamluk sultan, noted for his military campaigns against the Crusaders, died after being poisoned when he drank from a cup intended for someone else? This was a breach of Canterbury's privilege of coronation, and in November 1170 Becket excommunicated all three.[9]. The first holy image of Becket is thought to be a mosaic icon still visible in Monreale Cathedral, in Sicily, created shortly after his death. In Scotland, King William the Lion ordered the building of Arbroath Abbey in 1178. This was the only military order native to England (with chapters in not only Acre, but London, Kilkenny, and Nicosia), just as the Gilbertine Order was the only monastic order native to England. [11] The king's exact words are in doubt and several versions have been reported. "St Thomas Becket landing at Sandwich (Relief)", "St Thomas Becket meeting the Pope (Panel)", "Consecration of St Thomas Becket as archbishop (Panel)", "Hollywood shines a light on geezers who killed à Becket", "Music festivals: We pick 10 of the best", "Portsmouth Cathedral, St Thomas' Cathedral, Old Portsmouth", "Welcome to Monmouth, St Thomas Church Monmouth", "Church of St Thomas a Becket, Capel, Kent", "Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Bristol, Bristol", Edward Grim’s account of the murder of Thomas Becket, Daily Telegraph:On this day in 1170: Thomas Becket is murdered in Canterbury Cathedral, and becomes a martyr, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thomas_Becket&oldid=982433591, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Becket enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury from a, The story of Becket's life became a popular theme for the medieval, Modern works based on the story of Thomas Becket include, There are many churches named after Thomas Becket in the UK, including, As part of his obligations in contrition to Henry, William de Tracy significantly enlarged and re-dedicated the parish church in, There are many schools named after Thomas Becket in Great Britain, including, Among the possessions of the treasury of the, Alexander, James W. "The Becket controversy in recent historiography. He employed all his skills to induce their consent and was apparently successful with all but Becket. [1] Henry may have hoped that Becket would continue to put the royal government first, rather than the church. De Morville also held property in Cumbria and this may also have provided a convenient bolt-hole, as the men prepared for a longer stay in the separate kingdom of Scotland. [1] They were buried in Old St Paul's Cathedral. Several contemporary accounts of what happened next exist; of particular note is that of Grim, who was wounded in the attack. The men of Strood had sided with the king in his struggles against the archbishop, and to demonstrate their support, had cut off the tail of Becket's horse as he passed through the town. The four knights, wielding drawn swords, ran into the room saying "Where is Thomas Becket, traitor to the King and country?!". ",[13] but according to historian Simon Schama this is incorrect: he accepts the account of the contemporary biographer Edward Grim, writing in Latin, who gives us "What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up in my household, who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric?

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